In Fresh Centre vs States Row, Tamil Nadu Moves Top Court Over Flood Relief

Tamil Nadu Flood Relief: The southern state - hit by massive floods in December - has sought Rs 37,000 crore for damage caused by Cyclone Michaung and subsequent heavy rainfall.

The Tamil Nadu government has moved the Supreme Court seeking an ex-parte order to the centre to release Rs 2,000 crore as part of an interim relief package for flood-ravaged districts. The state - hit by floods in December - sought Rs 37,000 crore for damage from Cyclone Michaung and heavy rainfall.

The state has also claimed the centre has not released relief funds, something which the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has denied. The state has also accused the centre of differential treatment in release of funds, arguing it is tantamount to discrimination and violates peoples' fundamental rights.

"Even yesterday Kerala had argued in the Supreme Court... that the union government ought to permit it to borrow Rs 10,000 crore. Karnataka also argued in the top court, seeking drought relief. We too kept asking for flood relief... but they didn't give," Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said.